Biomaterials have been used for more than a century in the human body to improve body functions and replace damaged tissues. Currently approved and commonly used metallic biomaterials such as, stainless steel, titanium, cobalt chromium and other alloys have been found to have adverse effects leading in some cases, to mechanical failure and rejection of the implant. The physical or chemical nature of the degradation products of some implants initiates an adverse foreign body reaction in the tissue. Some metallic implants remain as permanent fixtures, whereas others such as plates, screws and pins used to secure serious fractures are removed by a second surgical procedure after the tissue has healed sufficiently. However, repeat surgical procedures increase the cost of health care and the possibility of patient morbidity. This study focuses on the development of magnesium based biodegradable alloys/metal matrix composites (MMCs) for orthopedic and cardiovascular applications. The Mg alloys/MMCs possessed good mechanical properties and biocompatible properties. Nine different compositions of Mg alloys/MMCs were manufactured and surface treated. Their degradation behavior, ion leaching, wettability, morphology, cytotoxicity and mechanical properties were determined. Alloying with Zn, Ca, HA and Gd and surface treatment resulted in improved mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, reduced cytotoxicity, lower pH and hydrogen evolution. Anodization resulted in the formation of a distinct oxide layer (thickness 5-10 μm) as compared with that produced on mechanically polished samples (~20-50 nm) under ambient conditions. It is envisaged that the findings of this research will introduce a new class of Mg based biodegradable alloys/MMCs and the emergence of innovative cardiovascular and orthopedic implant devices.

It is projected that by 2020, there will be 138 million Americans over 45, the age at which the increased incidence of heart diseases is documented. Many will require stents. This multi-billion dollar industry, with over 2 million patients worldwide, 15% of whom use Nitinol stents have experienced a decline in sales recently, due in part to thrombosis. It is a sudden blood clot that forms inside stents. As a result, the Food and Drug Administration and American Heart Association are calling for a new generation of stents, new designs and different alloys that are more adaptable to the arteries. The future of Nitinol therefore depends on a better understanding of the mechanisms by which Nitinol surfaces can be rendered stable and inert. In this investigation, binary and ternary Nitinol alloys were prepared and subjected to various surface treatments such as electropolishing (EP), magnetoelectropolishing (MEP) and water boiling & passivation (W&P). In vitro corrosion tests were conducted on Nitinol alloys in accordance with ASTM F 2129-08. The metal ions released into the electrolyte during corrosion tests were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Biocompatibility was assessed by observing the growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) on the surface of Nitinol alloys. Static and dynamic immersion tests were performed by immersing the Nitinol alloys in cell culture media and measuring the amount of metal ions released in solution. Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assays were performed to elucidate the effect of metal ions on the growth of HUVEC cells. The surfaces of the alloys were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) respectively. Finally, wettability and surface energy were measured by Contact Angle Meter, whereas surface roughness was measured by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). All the surface treated alloys exhibited high resistance to corrosion when compared with untreated alloys. SRB assays revealed that Ni and Cu ions exhibited greater toxicity than Cr, Ta and Ti ions on HUVEC cells. EP and MEP alloys possessed relatively smooth surfaces and some were composed of nickel oxides instead of elemental nickel as determined by XPS. MEP exhibited lowest surface energy and lowest surface roughness.

Aims: Cancer is the first cause of death in the Peruvian population; searching alternative treatments of medicinal plants constitute a promissory field to find new anticancer drugs. The main objective in this study was to evaluate the phytochemical screening, total phenolic content, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of ethanol extract of Chromolaena laevigata (C. laevigata) on human tumor cell lines. Study Design: The fresh leaves of C. laevigata were soaked with ethanol followed by phytochemical screening using standard methods. Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Universidad Nacional San Luis Gonzaga de Ica, Ica, Peru; Laboratory “Abraham Vaisberg Wolach”, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru. Methodology: Phytochemical screening was assessed by using chemical reactives. Total phenolic content (TPC) was developed using Folin Ciocalteu reactive and the antioxidant activity was determined against DPPH and ABTS radicals by spectrophotometry. The cytotoxic activity was determined on human tumor cell lines followed as: MCF-7, H-460, HT-29, M-14, K-562 and DU-145. Results: Phytochemical study confirmed flavonoids and phenolic compounds in ethanol extract. TPC resulted 45.21 ± 3.5 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g of dried extract. The highest antioxidant extract for DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging tests were IC50 = 11.66 ± 1.0 μg/mL, IC50= 12.45 ± 0.50 μg/mL respectively. Ethanolic extracts (μg/mL) showed a low cytotoxicity on human tumor cell lines (CI50 > 20 μg/mL) for DU-145, HT-29, MCF-7 and M-14. Whereas, for H-460, and K562 tumor cell lines showed high cytotoxicity. Conclusion: In our findings, C. laevigata demonstrated a high antioxidant and total phenolic content. The ethanol extract exhibited better cytotoxic effect compared with 5-FU. Hence, This medicinal plant could be effective to prevent chronical diseases as cancer and oxidative stress disorders.

Polymeric nanoparticles were synthesized and loaded with Cu²⁺ to explore the therapeutic potential for catically active transition metal ions and complexes other than cisplatin. Two types of nanoparticles were synthesized to show the potential for polymer based vectors. Copper loading and release were characterized via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP MS), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and elemental analysis. Results demonstrated that Cu could be loaded to the nano-sized carriers in an aqueous environment, and that the release was pH-dependent. The toxicity of these particles was measured in HeLa cells where significant toxicity was observed in vitro via dosing of high Cu-loaded nanoparticles. No significant toxicity was observed in cells dosed with Cu-free nanoparticles.

Medicinal plants are the focus of intense study, in particular whether their traditional uses are supported by real pharmacological effects, or merely based on folklore. Piper capense L.f. (Piperaceae) is used traditionally for the treatment of infectious diseases, and has the potential to be a source of novel antimicrobial compound(s). Crude solvent extracts (water, methanol, hexane and acetone) and sequentially extracted subfractions of the root-bark of P. capense were prepared, of which the hexane-soluble subfraction MsAsHs was identified as the most promising antimicrobial subfraction. Phytochemical analyses of the various extracts and subfractions using TLC with numerous mobile phases and compound selective visualising reagents revealed the presence of quinones in all of the crude solvent extracts. Alkaloids, lipids/sterols/steroids, phenolic compounds and amino acids/peptides were detected in select subfractions. Gradient reverse phase HPLC analyses using 0.1% formic acid and methanol indicated three major peaks in MsAsHs. IR spectroscopy indicated that carbonyl and hydroxyl functional groups, and aromatic characteristics were present in the major compound present in MsAsHs. Further analysis using targeted LC-MS Q-TOF and quadrupole LC-MS/MS analyses indicated an empirical formula of C11H8O3. This formula was confirmed for the isolated compound by GC-MS (HP5-MS column) that identified the compound as 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (C11H8O3 MW: 188.18) with 98% certainty using the database. Although 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (also known as plumbagin) is well-known, this is the first time that the presence of this compound is reported in the Piper genus. Antimicrobial activities of P. capense root-bark extracts and the subfractions were determined against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and a yeast strain using the disk diffusion and broth micro-dilution assays. Antimicrobial activity was observed against Gram-positive bacteria, Gramnegative bacteria as well as a yeast strain, indicating broad spectrum activity. The antimicrobial activities of the crude solvent extracts decreased in the order: acetone > methanol > hexane > water. The MsAsHs subfraction demonstrated the highest antimicrobial activity with an MIC of 29 μg/ml against both Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 12600) and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231). HPLC eluents of this subfraction that were collected in a drop-wise fashion onto silica TLC plates and assayed by bioautography, indicated that the major compound eluting at 13.6 minutes accounted for most of the antimicrobial activity. Antioxidant activity was observed for the crude water extract, crude methanol extract, crude acetone extract, MsAsAs subfraction as well as the MsAsHs subfraction. Cytotoxicity against mammalian cells in culture was observed for the crude methanol extract, crude acetone extract, crude hexane extract and the MsAsHs subfraction when determined using C2C12 cells as well as resting and PHA stimulated lymphocytes. Stability testing of the MsAsHs subfraction revealed that the antimicrobial compounds found in this subfraction appear to be stable up to 30 days at both 25°C and 40°C when assayed against S. aureus. However, when assayed against C. albicans, there was an increase in antifungal activity from 29 μg/ml to < 7 μg/ml after 30 days at both temperatures tested. This study provides scientific support for the ethnomedical use of the rootbark of P. capense as an antimicrobial. To date, the presence of plumbagin has not been reported in any other plant in the Piper genus. Due to the significant cytotoxic activity against mammalian cells reported in the current study and the mechanism of action of plumbagin, the therapeutic potential of P. capense extracts is very limited due to non-selective cytotoxicity, despite its marked antimicrobial activity. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Pharmacology / unrestricted

Please read the abstract in the section of 00front of this document / Thesis (PhD (Medical Plant Science))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Plant Science / unrestricted

Orientador: Patricia da Silva Melo / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T21:30:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ferreira_IasminRosanneSilva_M.pdf: 836058 bytes, checksum: 5beb54192fc88a1ebf1ce80d1b2424bd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Compostos encontrados na natureza, mostram uma enorme gama de diversidade em termos de estrutura e atividades farmacológicas. Apesar dos avanços na sintese química, as plantas se mostram cada vez mais eficientes na busca de novos tratamentos contra o câncer. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar seis fitoterápicos pertencentes à classe de lignoides (dimethoxymagnolol, grandisina e iangambina) e riparinas (I, II e III) , com e sem suplementação de glutationa (GSH - 1mM) em três linhagens de células leucêmicas K562, U937 e HL60. A viabilidade celular foi avaliada por ensaio de redução de MTT em células leucemicas tratadas com os fitoquímicos (com ou sem suplementação de GSH). Nas células U937 foram encontrados valores de IC50 de 100 ?M, 30 ?M e 500 ?M em células tratadas com dimethoximagnolol, grandisina e iangambina, respectivamente, e 60, 25 e 15 ?M (riparina I, II e III, respectivamente). Nas células K562, o tratamento com riparinas foi o mais eficaz dos compostos estudados , uma vez que foram determinados valores de IC50 de 125, 27 e 15 ?M ( riparina I, II e III, respectivamente). Diferentes valores foram encontrados em células HL60 tratadas com riparinas (140, 100 e 75 ?M para riparina I, II e III, respectivamente). A suplementação com GSH amenizou apenas os efeitos tóxicos após tratamento das células U937 com riparina II, uma vez que não foram observados resultados diferentes em outras linhagens celulares tratadas com os compostos estudados com a suplementação de GSH. A citotoxicidade desses fitoquímicos também foi avaliada em linhagem de células de fibroblasto de pulmão permanente (V79), que são células de cultura utilizadas para os estudos de citotoxicidade. Todos os fitoquímicos investigados, com exceção da iangambina, foram menos tóxicos para células V79 do que para as células leucêmicas. Estes resultados se mostram positivos, uma vez que a atividade farmacológica foi maior nas células leucêmicas do que nas células V79. Todos os compostos estudados neste trabalho apresentaram efeitos anti-tumorais, no entanto, o mecanismo de ação da riparina II é diferente em células U937 já que a suplementação com GSH foi eficaz contra os efeitos tóxicos. Provavelmente, a riparina II provocou a morte celular por estresse oxidativo / Abstract: Compounds found in nature, show an enormous range of diversity in terms of structure and pharmacologic activities. Plants play a surprisingly important source of new treatments for cancer, despite advances in chemical synthesis. Thus the aim of this study was to evaluate six phytomedicine belonging to the class of lignoid (dimethoxymagnolol, grandisin and yangambin) and riparins (I, II and III) with and without glutathione supplementation (GSH ¿ 1mM) in three leukemic lines, K562, U937 and HL60. The cell viability was evaluated by MTT reduction assay in leukemic cells treated with the phytochemicals (with or without GSH supplementation). In the U937 cell IC50 values found were 100 µM, 30 µM and 500 µM in the cells treated with dimethoximagnolol, grandisin and yangambin, respectively and 60, 25 and 15 µM (riparin I, II and III, respectively). In K562 cells the treatment with riparins were the most effective class of compounds studied since it was determined IC50 values of 125, 27 and 15µM (riparin I, II and III, respectively). Different values were determined in the HL60 cells treated with riparins (140, 100 and 75 ?M for riparin I, II and III, respectively). GSH ameliorated only the toxic effects evaluated in U937 cell treated with riparin II, since it was not observed different results in the others cell lines treated with the studied compounds plus GSH. The cytotoxicity of phytochemicals was also assessed in a permanent lung fibroblast cell line (V79) culture that are cells commonly used for cytotoxicity studies. All the phytochemicals investigated, with the yangambin exception, were less cytotoxic to V79 cells than to leukemic cells. These results indicate a positive pharmacologic application since the leukemic activity was major than to the toxic effects evaluated in the V79 cells. All the compounds investigated in this work has antitumoral effects, however the action mechanism of riparin II is different on U937 cell since GSH supplementation protected the toxic effects. Probably, riparin II triggered cell death by stress oxidative pathway / Mestrado / Metabolismo e Biologia Molecular / Mestra em Ciências da Nutrição e do Esporte e Metabolismo

Orientador: Marcia Carneiro Valera / Coorientador: Carlos Henrique Ribeiro Camargo / Banca: Cláudio Antonio Talge Carvalho / Banca: Marco Antônio Húngaro Duarte / Resumo: Os objetivos deste estudo foram: Artigo 1 - Analisar a extrusão apical de hipoclorito de sódio (NaOCl), debris e sua citotoxicidade após o preparo dos canais radiculares utilizando NaOCl líquido ou gel. Artigo 2- avaliar a dissolução de matéria orgânica do NaOCl líquido e gel, e a limpeza das paredes dentinárias após a instrumentação; Métodos: Artigo 1 - A avaliação da extrusão apical de NaOCl e debris foi feita pela espectrofotometria do conteúdo extruído após o preparo biomecânico. A citotoxicidade foi avaliada pela resposta de culturas celulares de fibroblastos de ligamento periodontal (PDFL) frente as soluções irrigadoras extruídas, pelo teste XTT para análise da viabilidade celular. Para isso, oitenta dentes foram instrumentados com limas Reciproc #25 e #40 (VDW Munique, Alemanha) e utilizado NaOCl gel e líquido ativados por ultrassom. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente pelo teste de ANOVA e as diferenças estatísticas pelo teste de Tukey e Dunn (p<0,05). Artigo 2 - A dissolução de matéria orgânica foi realizada usando cubos de carne com tamanho e peso determinado, os quais foram deixados em contato com 1 mL das amostras dos seguintes grupos: NaOCl gel 3% (ChlorCid V); NaOCl gel 3%(VIM); NaOCl líquido 2,5%; NaOCl líquido 5,25%; Solução fisiológica estéril (SF) (controle) por um período de 3 min, os fragmentos foram removidos e pesados novamente para quantificar a matéria orgânica não dissolvida. A comprovação da limpeza das paredes dos canais foi avaliada através ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The objectives of this study were: Article 1 - Analyze the apical sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) extrusion, debris and it's cytotoxicity after the root canals preparation using liquid or gel NaOCl. Article 2 - Evaluate the tissue dissolution of NaOCl liquid and gel, and it's cleaning efficiency of dentin walls after instrumentation; Methods: Article 1 - The evaluation of the apical extrusion of NaOCl and debris was done by the spectrophotometry of the extruded contents after the biomechanical preparation. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by the cell cultures response of periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDFL) against extruded irrigation solutions by the XTT test for cell viability analysis. For this, eight teeth were instrumented with Reciproc # 25 and # 40 files (VDW Munich, Germany) and used NaOCl gel and liquid activated by ultrasound. Data were analyzed statistically by the ANOVA test and the statistical differences by the Tukey and Dunn test (p <0.05). Article 2 - The dissolution of organic matter was carried out using meat cubes of determined size and weight, which were left in contact with 1 mL of samples from the following groups: NaOCl gel 3% (ChlorCid V); NaOCL gel 3% (VIM); NaOCl liquid 2.5%; NaOCl liquid 5.25%; Sterile physiological solution (SP) (control) for a period of 3 min, the fragments were removed and weighed again to quantify the undissolved organic matter. The verification of the cleansing of the canal walls was evaluated through the SEM and the stereomicroscopy ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Typha capensis (T. capensis), commonly known as bulrush, is a medicinal plant found growing in the wetland areas of South Africa. In traditional medicine, rhizome decoctions of T. capensis are used to treat a wide variety of ailments, including venereal disease, dysentery, diarrhoea and low libido in men. Previously, T. capensis rhizomes were shown to be a rich source of antioxidants, such as catechin and epicatechin, inhibiting both reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. The antioxidant capacity of such plant species serves as a reservoir of electrons to transport them into gold salt for the production of gold nanoparticles through green nanotechnology. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the application of T. capensis in green nanotechnology and nano-medicine.

Neurodegenerative diseases occur as a result of the breakdown and deterioration of the neurons of the central nervous system (CNS). They are commonly found in elderly people and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, thereby imposing severe strains on the social welfare systems. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Cholinergic deficit, senile plaque/amyloid-β peptide deposition and oxidative stress have been identified as three main pathogenic pathways which contribute to the progression of AD. The current therapeutic options cause several side-effects and have problems associated with bioavailability. Therefore, the need arises to search for new compounds from natural products with potential to treat AD. Seventeen plants were selected for this study based on their documented ethno-medicinal use in improving memory, to treat insomnia, calm agitated people, and other neurological disorders. The plants were screened for inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) using the TLC and microtiter plate method. A dose-dependent inhibition of the enzyme was observed and 4.5% of all the plants showed low (<30% inhibition) AChE inhibition. The ethyl acetate extracts of the roots of Crinum bulbispermum, Xysmalobium undulatum, Lannea schweinfurthii, Scadoxus puniceus and bulbs of Boophane disticha had the best AChE inhibition. Although the IC50 of these plant extracts were higher than that of the positive control, galanthamine (0.00053 mg/ml), they showed good AChE inhibitory activity considering they are still mixtures containing various compounds. The antioxidant activity of the plant extracts was determined by their ability to scavenge ABTS (2,2´-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl- hydrazyl) radicals. The dichloromethane/methanol (1:1) extracts of Chamaecrista mimosoides (root), Buddleja salviifolia (whole plant), Schotia brachypetala (root and bark), water extracts of Chamaecrista mimosoides (root), Buddleja salviifolia (whole plant), Schotia brachypetala (root and bark) and methanol extracts of the roots of Crinum bulbispermum, Piper capense, Terminalia sericea, Lannea schweinfurthii and Ziziphus mucronata all showed good antioxidant activity (>50%), in both assays. B. disticha contained very promising AChE inhibition and was subjected to isolation of active compounds using thin layer chromatography, column chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography. Two compounds, 6-hydroxycrinamine (a crinine-type alkaloid) and cycloeucalenol (a cycloartane triterpene), were isolated for the first time from the bulbs of this plant. 6-Hydroxycrinamine, and two fractions, EAM 17-21 21,22 and EAE 11 (which could not be purified further due to low yield), were found to inhibit AChE with IC50 values of 0.445 ± 0.030 mM, 0.067 ± 0.005 mg/ml and 0.122 ± 0.013 mg/ml, respectively. Cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds and two active fractions was determined on human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells using the MTT and neutral red uptake assays. 6- hydroxycrinamine and fraction EAM 17-21 21,22 were found to be toxic with IC50 values of 54.5 μM and 21.5 μg/ml as determined by the MTT assay. The isolated compounds and fractions did not show any protective effect against cell death induced by Aβ25-35 possibly due to the poor antioxidant activity of B. disticha bulbs. Cytotoxicity was also determined for the methanol extracts of the roots of C. bulbispermum, T. sericea, L. schweinfurthii and Z. mucronata, as they contained promising antioxidant activity. C. bulbispermum was the most toxic, reducing cell viability by <40% at the highest concentration tested. Z. mucronata and L. schweinfurthii were the least toxic with IC50 values exceeding 100 μg/ml, the highest concentration tested. Three concentrations of the plant extracts that were not toxic, or presented low toxicity, were selected to evaluate their possible protective effect against cell death induced by Aβ25-35. Pretreatment with Z. mucronata and T. sericea roots showed a dose dependent inhibition of cell death caused by Aβ25-35. Pre-treatment with L. schweinfurthii roots resulted in an optimum dose for inhibition of Aβ25-35 induced cell death at 25 μg/ml, while still maintaining 80% viability. The roots of C. bulbispermum at non-toxic dose still maintained >50% viability. This study confirms the neuroprotective potential of some of the plants which had AChE inhibitory and antioxidant activity. In addition, four of the plants were shown to prevent cell death caused by Aβ25-35. These plants can serve as potential leads in developing drugs relevant to treatment of AD. Furthermore, two new compounds present in the bulbs of B. disticha were identified. Additional investigations need to be carried out by applying QSAR studies to modify the structure of the alkaloid with the aim of reducing its observed toxicity. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Pharmacology / unrestricted